What's the Captain's Mix? Fans of Genesee Brewery's summery beers know

Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·1 min read

What is the Captain’s Mix?

No, it’s not a mix tape of William Shatner, as "Star Trek" Captain James T. Kirk, performing voice readings of the best of the 1970s easy listening duo’s Captain & Tennille.

But fans of Genesee Brewery’s recently released Tropical Pineapple Kolsch and another summer favorite Ruby Red Kolsch could be the accompaniment to a summer of backyard grilling, relaxing after mowing the lawn and enjoying your yacht rock play list.

Tropical Pineapple Kolsch, which is being released for its second year, is now available in stores, joining Ruby Red Kolsch in 12- and 16-ounce cans on store shelves. Kolsch is a German style of beer characterized by its light color and taste.

Genesee Brewery's Tropical Pineapple Kolsch can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with Genny's "other" summer beer, Ruby Red Kolsch.
Genesee Brewery's Tropical Pineapple Kolsch can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with Genny's "other" summer beer, Ruby Red Kolsch.

At first, the worry was that the Tropical Pineapple Kolsch would cannibalize sales of Ruby Red Kolsch, said Inga Grote-Ebbs, Genesee brand director, in a statement.

“But the exact opposite happened,” Grote-Ebbs said.

Instead, love kept them together, as beer consumers began mixing the two in one glass and created the Captain’s Mix.

The bright-golden ale with a bready malt body, mild hop bitterness and fruity pineapple flavor contrasts nicely with the citrusy grapefruit flavor of the Ruby Red.

Genesee's Ruby Red Kolsch is coming to stores soon; and later this month, it will be available in 16-ounce cans.
Genesee's Ruby Red Kolsch is coming to stores soon; and later this month, it will be available in 16-ounce cans.

The amount of each Kolsch added is up to each individual backyard barkeep, but the result is a personally customized and balanced summer beer, Grote-Ebbs said.

The Genesee Brew House is in on the game as well, recently adopting the consumer trend and concocting its own “Captain’s Mix” available at the Brew House. For more information, visit www.geneseebeer.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Genesee Brewery releases its Tropical Pineapple Kolsch